Speaking-tube attachment



n (No Model.)

G. HfPHELPS. SPEAKING TUBE ATTACHMENT. v No. 360.469. Patented-Apr. 5, 1887.

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GEORGE H. PHELPS, OF WEST NEVTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPEAKING-TUBE ATTACHMENT.-

.SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 360,469, dated April 5, 1887.

Application filed January 5, 18S?. Serial No. 223,451. (No model.)l

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE II. PHELPs, of West Newton, county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Speaking-Tube Attachments, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawingsis a specication, like letters and figures on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object to provide a speaking-tube with a device by which a person may both speak and hear at the same time, to thereby overcome the very annoying practice now customary of moving the head to either speak or listen, as desired.

In accordance with this invention, the tube to which the mouth-piece is attached is provided with a tube projecting therefrom at au angle, to which latter tube an ear-piece is attached, preferably by means of a flexible tube. A suitable valve is employed, preferably in the tube, so that a person may blow into the mouth-piece and close the hearing-tube, in order that awhistle placed at the opposite end ofthespeaking-tubemayrespond. Themouthpiece tube is provided with a suitable coupling, by which the device may be attached to au ordinary mouth-piece.

Figure lshows in elevation and partial section a speaking-tube attachment embodying this invention; Fig. 2, a portion of the speakling-tube attachment, showing a coupling in` section; and Fig. 3, a view of the device, similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified form of coupling.

The tube a is provided with a mouth-piece, a', fitted to it, and also with a hearing-tube, b, leadingv` from one side at an angle, preferably an acute angle, and an elbow, c, is joined to the tube b by a flexible tube, d. An ear-piece, e, is fitted to the elbow c, and the iiexible tube d is of suitable length to permit the ear-piece e to be brought in correct position to hear at the same time that the mouth of the person hearing is adjacent to the mouth-piece e. A suitable valve is placed within the tube' b, herein shown asa ball, f, of cork or other light material, vibrating between two perforated plates, 2 3, so that a person may blow into the tube a and cause a whistle at the opposite end of the speaking-tube A to respond, the ball seating itself against the plate 2.

By projecting the tube b from the tube a at an acute angle, as shown in Fig.l,a very short length of iiexible tube, d, is necessary, and, if desired, a metal tubing may be substituted for the flexible tubing, it, however, being necessary to form a joint to make the connection.

The tube a may be of suitable diameter to fit the speaking-tube A, which may be provided at its end with a coupling, one form of which is shown in Fig. 2, such form of coupling consisting of a disk, 4, secured to the tube a, and provided with a flange, 5, having asuitable groove, 6, which grooved flange springs over upon and permits the groove Gto receive the bead 7 ot' an ordinary metal mouth-piece,a.

y In Fig. 3 I have shown anotherforin of coupling, consisting -of the disk 8, havinga flange, 9, slitted to form a series of prongs, which may be bent so as to spring over the mouthpiece n, which is usually made ot' porcelain.

Instead of the particular forms of coupling herein shown, any other suitable form may be employed to attach the device to a mouthpiece of ordinary construction.

I claim- 1. The speaking-tube attachment herein described,consisting of the rigid tube ,provided with a mouth-piece, the rigid tube I), joined to the tube a at au acute angle, an ear piece, e, and a flexible connection between the said tube b and the said ear-piece, substantially as set forth.

2. The speaking-tube attachment herein described, consisting of the tube a and mouthpiece fitted to it, the tube b, joining the tube a, an ear-piece, e, and tubing, substantially as described, connecting the ear-piece ewith the tube b, and a valve for closing the ear-piece tube, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A speaking-tube attachment having a rigid mouth-piece tube,which is provided with an enlarged coupling, consisting of a springflange adapted to be sprung over the ordinary mouth-piece of the speaking tube, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof [have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE II. PHELPS. Witnesses:

BEENrcE J. NoYEs, FEED L. EMERY. 

